Chest Tubes

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on May 4, 2025.

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What do I need to know about a chest tube?

A chest tube is a plastic tube that is put through the side of your chest. A suction device removes air, blood, or fluid from around your heart or lung. This will help you breathe more easily. A chest tube is also known as chest drain or chest drainage tube.

How do I prepare for a chest tube to be inserted?

• Your healthcare provider will tell you how to prepare. You may be told not to eat or drink anything for a certain time before your procedure. Your provider may tell you to arrange for someone to drive you home after the procedure.
• Tell your provider about all your current medicines. Your provider will tell you if you need to stop any medicine for the procedure, and when to stop. Your provider will tell you which medicines to take or not take on the day of your procedure.
• Tell your provider if you have any allergies. You may be given antibiotics to prevent a bacterial infection. Tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had an allergic reaction to anesthesia or an antibiotic.

What will happen when a chest tube is inserted?

• You may be given general anesthesia to keep you asleep and free from pain during the procedure. You may instead be given local anesthesia or a nerve block. You will be able to feel some pressure during the procedure, but you should not feel any pain.
• Your healthcare provider will make a small incision in your chest. A tool is used to make an opening through the chest muscle. The chest tube is inserted slowly until it reaches the pleural space or chest cavity. Your provider may use an ultrasound to guide the tube into place. When the tube is in place, it will be connected to suction and a drainage system.
• Stitches may be sewn into your chest wall to hold the tube in place. Medical tape may also be used to secure the tube before it is covered with a bandage.

Drugs used to treat this and similar conditions

What should I expect after a chest tube has been inserted?

• Medicines may be given to prevent or treat pain or a bacterial infection.
• An x-ray or a CT scan may be used to make sure the tube is in the right place. You may also need an x-ray after your chest tube is removed.

What do I need to know about chest tube removal?

• Your healthcare provider will tell you when the chest tube can be removed. After heart surgery, the chest tube may be removed within 72 hours. For lungs, the chest tube can be taken out when your lung is working normally again. One sign of this is little or no fluid draining into the chest tube. Another sign is no air leaking for 1 to 2 days. You may need a chest x-ray to make sure your lung is working as it should.
• You may be given medicine to treat pain before the tube is removed. The medical tape will be removed. The stitches holding the tube in place will be loosened. You may need to breathe a certain way as the tube is taken out. Your provider will remove the tube and may tighten the stitches to close the opening. The area will be covered with a bandage that will stop air from getting into your chest.

What are the risks of a chest tube?

You may get an infection, or the place where the tube goes in may bleed more than expected. Your organs, blood vessels, or nerves may get damaged. You may have chest pain after the procedure. You may need to have the procedure again if the tube gets pulled out. If your condition comes back after treatment, you may need another chest tube. The chest tube may not decrease your signs and symptoms. The healthcare provider may not be able to insert the tube. If this happens, you may need to have another procedure or surgery.

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